Long-term safety of the tafenoquine antimalarial chemoprophylaxis regimen: A 12-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundTafenoquine is a long-acting 8-aminoquinoline approved for antimalarial prophylaxis for ≤6 months. Additional data is needed to establish the drug's longer-term safety profile, including potential ophthalmic or neuropsychiatric effects. MethodThis was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 600 healthy adults. Eligible subjects were randomized 1:1 to receive tafenoquine 200 mg weekly (antimalarial prophylactic regimen) or placebo for 52 weeks. Scheduled safety visits occurred at Weeks 4, 12, 24, 52 (dosing completed), and 64 (final follow-up). Safety assessments included ophthalmic changes, general and neuropsychiatric adverse events (AEs), and laboratory value changes. ResultsThe percentage of subjects with a protocol-defined Serious Ophthalmic Safety Event was lower in the Tafenoquine Group (18.2%) versus the Placebo Group (19%, p = 0.308). There was no significant difference between the percentages of subjects with at least one AE in the Tafenoquine Group (91.0%) versus Placebo (89.9%, p = 0.65). Common AEs seen at a significantly higher incidence for tafenoquine included reversible cornea verticillata (54.5%) and nausea (13.0%), leading to 0.0% and 0.7% discontinuations. Psychiatric AEs occurred at similar percentages in both study groups. Reversible changes in hemoglobin, methemoglobin, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were noted. ConclusionsThis study supports the safety of extended 52-week tafenoquine prophylaxis. Clinical trial registration Number/ClinicalTrials.gov IdentifierNCT03320174.